Carlisle, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carlisle, Iowa had a total population of 4,255, the 99th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $109,191, which is 45% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Iowa.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.1% — among the lowest in Iowa.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Carlisle Quick Facts
How Carlisle Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,187 | 4,255 | +1.6% |
| Median household income | $98,333 | $109,191 | +11.0% |
| Median home value | $208,100 | $234,300 | +12.6% |
How Carlisle Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Carlisle Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Polk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 212,421 | $65,932 | 14.9% | $194,700 |
| Ankeny | 72,615 | $108,198 | 4.2% | $331,000 |
| West Des Moines | 71,083 | $86,594 | 8.4% | $309,000 |
| Urbandale | 46,595 | $112,795 | 6.8% | $335,500 |
| Johnston | 24,384 | $106,551 | 10.2% | $369,100 |
| Altoona | 21,495 | $86,114 | 8.3% | $274,600 |
| Clive | 19,012 | $132,121 | 7.3% | $401,100 |
| Grimes | 16,366 | $120,037 | 4.4% | $304,700 |
| Norwalk | 14,183 | $102,722 | 4.2% | $303,100 |
| Pleasant Hill | 11,136 | $90,508 | 8.9% | $295,100 |
Cities Similar to Carlisle
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Vernon | 4,513 | $112,656 | $245,200 | 45.1% | 8.2% |
| Huxley | 4,544 | $112,094 | $297,100 | 54.4% | 4.5% |
| Le Claire | 4,735 | $104,844 | $318,700 | 44.1% | 6.8% |
| Dyersville | 4,423 | $83,559 | $234,100 | 29.1% | 4.9% |
| Rock Valley | 4,059 | $76,250 | $231,200 | 16.6% | 9.3% |
Population Overview
Carlisle is a small community located in Iowa, within Polk County. The total population is 4,255. It ranks as the 99th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carlisle is 36.3 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 28.6% of the population under 18, Carlisle has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carlisle is $109,191. This is 45% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 35% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.1%. This is 72% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 6.1%. This is 69% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $234,300. Housing costs are 13% higher than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Carlisle is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Carlisle has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.1%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
28.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 9% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carlisle, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Carlisle, Iowa?
Carlisle, Iowa has a population of 4,255 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carlisle, IA?
The median household income in Carlisle is $109,191, which is 35% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carlisle, IA?
The poverty rate in Carlisle is 3.1%. This means approximately 129 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carlisle, Iowa?
Carlisle's population is 93.3% White, 0.4% Black, 5.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carlisle, IA?
The median home value in Carlisle is $234,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Carlisle, Iowa?
28.6% of adults (25+) in Carlisle hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.